Volleyball begins season tomorrow with high expectations
North Adams, MA- The MCLA Volleyball program has high expectations as they prepare for their September 1st opener at Skidmore. Coming off a winning season in which they earned a bid into the ECAC New England Championship, the Trailblazers feel they have the pieces in place to contend for a MASCAC title.
The program is under the continued direction of head coach Amanda Beckwith. While last season's 15-14 mark included just a 2-4 conference slate and were selected to finish sixth in the MASCAC preseason poll. Regardless of preseason rankings, Beckwith remains optimistic about the prospects in 2015.
"The team is collectively working hard towards the first ever banner and this is the strongest team on paper in school history," Beckwith said. "Our offense is stronger and the defense is quicker. I expect our program to compete with the top programs in the MASCAC," she continued.
The talent that Beckwith speaks of begins with junior captain Rachel Mills. She led the team in kills last season and her athleticism speaks for itself. She will see time all over the court this fall. One of MCLA's strengths should be their play at the net as they return a host of key players. Sam Anderson returns on the front line, while sophomores Bri O'Rourke and Margaret Allen earned valuable experience as freshmen and will add a strong punch at the net.
Newcomer Allison Clark, a transfer from Foothill Community College in California, should make an immediate impact this fall. The 5'11 outside hitter should be a force for the Trailblazers and add some much needed depth as well.
Setting up all the offensive weapons should be senior captain Courtney Parent. Parent is a four year member of the program and last year led the nation in aces per set. Her leadership will be instrumental in MCLA taking the next step forward in conference play.
The schedule sets up nicely for MCLA with some tough non-conference opponents early leading into MASCAC play. The Trailblazers open up Tuesday at Skidmore before heading into the Morrisville State tournament next weekend. There, MCLA will face MIT as well as three other opponents. The Trailblazers open MASCAC play on September 15th at Westfield State before embarking on a seven game homestand. The streak will include a pair of tri matches on September 19th and 26th.
Heading into October, MCLA will travel to Hartwick for a tournament and play three more road tilts before returning to the Amsler Campus Center. MCLA will then close out the season with five of their final eight matches at home. The MASCAC tournament begins on November 4th.